How to configure Mesh & Auto Failover on Omada Controller

Contents

Objective

Requirements

Introduction

Mesh Configuration

Auto Failover Configuration

Conclusion

FAQ

Objective

This article describes how to configure wireless Mesh and Auto Failover on Omada Controller.

Requirements

• Omada Controller (Software Controller / Hardware Controller / Cloud-Based Controller, v5.9 and above)
• Omada AP

Introduction

• Mesh: Wireless Mesh networking helps expand wireless coverage without requiring network cabling. It is suitable for outdoor places, such as outdoor camps, swimming pools, gyms, gardens, and squares, and indoor places without cabling due to site restrictions or aesthetic considerations.
• Auto Failover: With Auto Failover, when the wireless signal of the uplink device disappears due to a power outage, device failure, or other factors, Omada Controller can automatically select a new uplink device with the best signal quality for the AP, ensuring normal network access of connected clients.

Mesh Configuration

Step 1. Log in to the Controller via a browser and go to Site Settings > Site > Wireless Features. Verify that the Mesh feature is enabled.

Step 2. Prepare the AP required for wireless mesh networking, power it on within the wireless coverage of your current site, and wait for the power-on to complete.

Step 3. Go to Devices > Device List. The AP you powered on will be displayed in the list. The STATUS column will show the PENDING state with a wireless icon. Click the Adopt icon in the ACTION column to adopt the AP.

Step 4. The Controller will recommend the best uplink device (with the Recommend tag) based on the signal strength, number of hops, and other factors. Select the uplink device and click Confirm.

Step 5. Wait until the AP’s status changes to CONNECTED. Now you have completed the Mesh network.

Step 6. Click the AP you adopted, then click Mesh. Here, you can check the current Mesh network information.

Auto Failover Configuration

Step 1. Log in to the Controller via a browser and go to Site Settings > Site > Wireless Features. Verify that the Auto Failover feature is enabled.

With Auto Failover, when the uplink device fails, the Omada Controller can automatically select a new uplink device for the AP to ensure normal Mesh networking.

Conclusion

Now you have configured Mesh and Auto Failover on Omada Controller.

Get to know more details of each function and configuration please go to Download Center to download the manual of your product.

FAQ

1. How can I address the issue of slow internet speed for clients in the Mesh network?

Re: To ensure internet experience, we recommend using no more than 2 hops (though up to 3 hops are supported by APs) since each hop will effectively halve the bandwidth. Meanwhile, the Mesh network devices should not be too far away from each other. When wireless performance is a priority, Mesh networking should be the last choice.

2. Can I switch an AP from a wired connection to a wireless Mesh connection?

Re: Yes. If you need to switch a wired AP to a Mesh network, disconnect the wired connection of the AP and move it to the location where you need it. The AP will become an isolated AP and actively send packets to search for an uplink device. After receiving the Probe Response from an uplink device, it will connect to the uplink device through the STA interface, hence establishing a Mesh connection.

3. Can I switch an AP from a wireless Mesh connection to a wired connection?

Re: Yes. If you want to ensure a more stable network, simply connect the wired port of the AP to switch from a wireless Mesh connection to a wired connection. When the AP detects that its port changes from disconnected to connected, it will immediately stop the wireless uplink and detect whether the Controller or the target IP can be pinged. If yes, the wired connection is completed. If not, the AP will become an isolated AP and try to re-establish a wireless Mesh connection.